Easy DIY Light Table For Tracing

Light tables really come in handy for tracing and transferring artwork. But they can also be quite costly, anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars. Yikes! If a light table is not within your current budget there are several other easy DIY light table options.

Option 1

If you have a nice sunny window simply use a low tack tape (I like to use blue painter's tape) to adhere your drawing and and art paper to the window. Happy tracing!

Option 2

Another way to create a temporary light table is to make use of a glass table top. Grab a lamp to place underneath. Viola, instant light table!

Option 3

The other night I found myself without a sunny window or a glass table top so I came up with the following solution.

You will need:

a pane of glass (I used a piece from a picture frame)

a crate or box slightly smaller than your glass

a clamp lamp or desk lamp

Put the lamp in the box and then carefully place your glass on top. Switch on the light and you’re all set!

A word of caution - Use as low wattage a light bulb as possible. Light bulbs put off a great deal of heat and you will find that the glass heats up quickly.

Studio cat Benji loves to get involved.

Looks like my glass could have used a little Windex...

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